Two men involved in a shootout with an undercover state trooper at a LaPlace public housing complex last year have reached a plea deal with prosecutors in exchange for their testimony against a third man.

The shootout was an outgrowth of a drug investigation at a St. John the Baptist Parish public housing complex.

Neon Narcisse, 21, of LaPlace, pleaded guilty last week to principal to armed robbery with a firearm and will serve 15 years without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence. In exchange, he has agreed to identify Carnell Randle, 31, as the shooter in the August 2009 incident, according to court documents.

Derrick Dennis, 27, of Reserve, pleaded guilty to attempted distribution of cocaine and was placed on probation for three years and nine months after being given credit for time served. He admitted he was the lookout for the drug transaction and agreed to testify that Narcisse and Randle were the other participants in

Derrick Dennis

the incident, court records show.

The shootout at the LaPlace Oaks public housing complex began as a routine drug buy for an undercover state trooper. During the trooper's transaction with Narcisse, Dennis, Randle and Jeremiah Randle on Joe Parquet Circle, one of the men pulled a handgun and pointed it at the trooper while another punched him in the face, according to State Police.

The four men robbed the undercover trooper, who after a struggle pulled out a weapon and fired several shots at the armed men before taking cover.

Two of the men were struck by gunfire. Jeremiah Randle, 20, of LaPlace, died in the shootout, while Dennis was treated for a gunshot wound to the buttocks.

Carnell Randle, of LaPlace, was booked with armed robbery, distribution of a controlled substance and attempted first-degree murder.